Community & Business
8 September, 2026
Next Round of Fresh Start Program for Local Councils Launched
Councils across NSW can now apply for grants to employ additional apprentices, trainees, and cadets through the next round of the state government’s Fresh Start Program.
The positions include 400 new roles funded through the multi-million dollar expansion of the Fresh Start announced in July, as well as 174 positions remaining from the program’s previous three funding rounds.
Since the program was announced in 2024, more than 1100 apprentices, trainees and cadets have started work in NSW councils, helping councils fill skills gaps and build their workforce for the future. Of those recruits, 726 are working in rural and regional councils.
Recent data from Public Skills Australia’s NSW Local Government Skills Audit identified significant skills gaps across local government, including in engineering, building surveying, town planning, mechanics and horticulture.
The Fresh Start Program gives councils the opportunity to train people in the skills they need, build their own long-term workforce and reduce reliance on outsourcing.
It also gives people a pathway into a local government career while earning, learning and gaining practical experience in their own communities.
That is particularly important in rural and regional NSW, where attracting and retaining skilled workers can be difficult.
Broken Hill City Council is among the regional councils already using Fresh Start to create pathways into local government careers and strengthen local workforce capability.
Through the program, Broken Hill City Council has welcomed 11 Fresh Start recruits, with 10 of these recruits aged under 25-years-old. The program is providing valuable career opportunities for young people in the local community, helping them build skills and experience while exploring pathways into local government.
The recruits are helping build the next generation of the local government workforce, with the program providing a pathway to long-term careers close to home.
Minister for Local Government, Ron Hoenig said: “Councils do essential work every day, but they can only deliver for their communities if they have skilled people to do the job.
“Fresh Start is about something very practical – helping councils train and keep the people they need, while giving people a genuine pathway into a long-term career.
“That is especially important in rural and regional NSW, where councils often face the greatest difficulty attracting skilled staff.
“Here in Broken Hill, you can see what the program can mean for a community. Local people can earn, learn and build a career while contributing to the place they call home.
“There are now another 574 positions available, and I encourage councils to look at the skills they will need in the years ahead and use this opportunity to build that workforce locally.”
Minister for Skills, TAFE and Tertiary Education, Steve Whan said “One of the biggest challenges facing regional communities like Broken Hill is attracting and retaining the skilled workers councils need to keep delivering for local residents. Fresh Start is creating real opportunities or people to earn while they learn, gain practical skills and build secure, rewarding careers close to home.
“That’s why the Minns Labor Government is backing rural and regional NSW communities with a record $3.46 billion investment in skills, training and TAFE NSW, because local councils need a strong local workforce. Fresh Start is helping develop that workforce and create long-term career opportunities in our regional communities.”
Member for Barwon, Roy Butler MP said “Local councils are expected to perform at the same professional standard as metropolitan councils while also filling gaps in their communities such as childcare, all with less funding and while drawing from a smaller pool of potential workers.
“The Fresh Start program is very welcome because it offsets the costs required for local councils to educate local people to fill the roles required.
“Over the medium to long-term, training up more local apprentices also helps local businesses struggling with a shortage of qualified tradespeople.”
